Interview with the Author and Beauty Expert, Clémence von Mueffling

Clémence von Mueffling is an author and editor who lives in New York for a few years. Daughter and granddaughter of Vogue editors, she launched her beauty magazine in 2014: Beauty and Well-Being, in which she guides women to adopt a healthy beauty routine. She wrote a book on the same topic: Ageless Beauty the French Way. Clémence von Mueffling is also passionate in the arts and is a trustee of the French Institue (FI:AF) in New York City — the institute which promotes French culture in the U.S.

© Clémence von Mueffling / BWB Magazine 

You are a trustee of the French Institute. Could you tell us more about what attracted you to this role and the actions the FI:AF is taking?

C.M.: Soon after I moved to New York I was lucky to meet the charismatic Marie-Monique Steckel, the president of the FIAF. I immediately joined FIAF first as a member. A few years later I created with their team the group dedicated to younger members named Young Patrons before I became a trustee. I have been an active member for almost fifteen years now and I am still to this day impressed with the variety and the quality of their cultural programs. Not only do I get a formidable access to culture thanks to them but I have also met wonderful people there!

You’re the author of Ageless Beauty the French Way. What characterizes French women?

C.M.: In France, women don’t fight their age, but rather try to become the best possible version of themselves. Instead of trying to look younger, they take measures to look their best for where they are in life. French women are a bit kinder to themselves. They believe in maturing gracefully and tend to be more accepting of their age. French women are not looking for perfect skin, just great skin. French women just want to enhance their best feature, they know that it is about the whole package, about feeling your best self.

If you were to “disclose” a secret from French women routine beauty, what would it be?

C.M.: I have a tried and true beauty ritual I teach in the book that will guarantee your skin to glow like it never has before: Double cleanse your face. And the ritual doesn’t have to be a chore. Think of it as a relaxing nightly treat for yourself, especially if you find products with a fragrance you love.

Your book is well constructed. It has tips for every age range and advices from many experts. It explains some of the changes in the body due to age and pregnancy. E.g., hormonal changes that come with menopause, or melasma which can appear with pregnancy. One thing many women are facing is stretch marks. Do you have any advice to prevent them and to repair your skin if you already have stretch marks?

C.M.: During teenage years as well as during pregnancy our body changes, our weight fluctuates and that is what causes stretch marks. The best thing to do is prevention by massaging the skin with natural and hydrating creams or balms. 

It is harder to repair when the lines are already showing, however, dry brushing that area and massaging with body balms regularly will certainly improve the appearance on the skin. 

You mention facial massages in your book…

C.M.: People underestimate the power of massage. You will be amazed how much you can improve the quality of your face by massaging it yourself regularly. It will tone the skin, improve circulation and minimize lines. And best of all it’s free!  You can also improve your skin’s appearance on other parts of the body by massaging them: your legs, your feet, and your décolleté.

Many women are paying more attention to buying natural, non-animal-tested, and organic beauty products. Are there any products that meet these criteria which you recommend?

C.M.: Absolutely! I buy most of my beauty and makeup products at The Detox Market. Online or at their Soho location which is one of the most beautiful store in town! They have very strict criteria to select brands that will be sold at their store. 

If you had to mention only three products which you always carry in your bag, which ones would they be?

C.M.: Here are three beauty essentials I could not live without! A black mascara from Chantecaille, a cleanser from Caudalie (I use both the milk and the oil cleansers) and finally a tinted foundation with SPF from Filorga. 

What is the major difference between your day and night makeup?

C.M.: During the day I wear just the minimum as I have such little time to get ready in the morning before work and school drop off. I usually wear some black mascara, a light foundation and a touch of blush on my cheeks. 

At night I like to use a shimmer product on my eye lids. I recently discovered a fabulous product from Veronique Gabai that I dab on my eyes and cheekbones. 

I also wear a lipstick from Chantecaille that is combines color and hydration.  

One of the many experts who appear in your book is a plastic surgeon. He explains that he has seen among his patients, the number of young women increasing in recent years. They sometimes come at the age of 18. What do you think this is due to?

C.M.: Sadly this new trend is very real and mostly due to social media and the importance to show a perfect face, perfect hair and perfect skin. The younger generation is overloaded with images. Most of the time these images are retouched, fake, but since these people are constantly taking photos of themselves, they compare themselves to these images and therefore become totally insecure. They want to conform to models and are totally unforgiving toward themselves. 

Rather than embracing diversity, they all want to look alike. It’s very difficult for these young people (teenagers mostly) to be different, to have a different kind of beauty or a different personality. 

The message I want to share with these young girls is: stay natural, don’t be too perfectionist and cultivate a healthy relationship with your image.

What is the beauty routine that you think is too often left behind?

C.M.: To my opinion double cleansing is a true game changer that will take your ski from good to great. And be gentle with your skin! Don’t over scrub or exfoliate too much. It makes your skin worse in the long run. Why would you burn, dry, and peel? Rather than nourishing and maintaining a healthy skin. You only have one face, and you should treat it with great care in the most delicate way you can. Think of treating the skin on your face as you would your favorite silk blouse. 

And last, we have to remember that there is a certain discipline required for beauty. Self care needs to become a ritual and a regular part of our lives.

Interview conducted by Delphine Daumont

Ageless Beauty the French Way, by Clémence von Mueffling, is available on Amazon.